As the leaves are developing beautiful golden and red hues and the temperatures are falling, it is the perfect time to snuggle up by the fire with a warm, delicious meal prepared in a slow cooker AKA Crockpot&reg;.

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Apples should be a staple for any healthy diet. There are so many wonderful health benefits that you can get from apples, and here is a list of some of the most important things that apples have to offer.

1. Apples can lower cholesterol

Apples have been shown to dramatically reduce “bad” cholesterol, or LDL levels, by nearly 25%. They can also boost the HDL, or “good” cholesterol. Apples will also lower inflammation in the body—which helps protect your body from the aging process.

2. Apples can help control your weight

There are certain compounds that are naturally found in apples that can help promote weight loss. Apples contain a high amount of fibre, about 5 grams in a medium sized apple. This is about 20% of the recommended daily amount that you need. those who eat an apple each day can lose up to an extra quarter pound over a six-month period.

3. Apples help regulate blood sugar

The natural sugars that are found in apples help to regulate blood sugar. One of the main antioxidants that can be found in apples helps to break down the natural sugars in apples into simple sugars. When this happens, a smaller amount of simple sugars becomes absorbed by the digestive system and stays out of the blood stream.

4. Apples can help with muscle development

There is a natural compound found in the skin of apples, called ursolic acid, which is thought to help with increasing muscle mass. Studies in mice have shown positive results with this compound, and research is ongoing to determine whether or not the same results will apply to humans, showing that apples may play an even bigger role in health and fitness than previously thought.

5. Apples improve lung health

Those who regularly consume apples have a lower incidence of respiratory illnesses. Apples are thought to help minimize symptoms of asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. A recent study showed that those who regularly eat apples may have more than 30% lower risk of developing asthma.

6. Apples may help you live longer

It might just be true, considering all of the health benefits of apples, that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Eating apples can help you stay healthier, which may help you live a longer, healthier life.

With all of these wonderful health benefits of apples, what are you waiting for? Time to take a bite and enjoy some sweet, crisp, juicy and healthy apples!

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